tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2009 Issue 14

READER QUESTIONS: Dig Deep Into Notes for Correct Cath Code

Question: Encounter notes indicate that the physician treated a patient with a "Port-a-Cath malfunction." What exactly is this, and what diagnosis code should I use to represent it? Nebraska Subscriber Answer: A physician places a Port-a-Cath just under the skin on the patient's chest, and then inserts the catheter into the superior vena cava. Once the provider inserts the  catheter, he can administer medication or draw blood through it. (If a patient experiences Port-a-Cath problems, he could certainly end up in the ED, so coders should be aware of this complication.) The correct diagnosis depends on the...

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